"PC Bangs and Restaurants Allowed, but Indoor Sports Still Banned, Sparking Outcry and Disagreement Among Ministries"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The social distancing measures, currently at level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and level 2 in non-metropolitan areas, have been extended for two weeks until the 17th and will be applied from the 4th. Amid changes in some quarantine guidelines, including the nationwide expansion of the ban on private gatherings of five or more people previously applied only in the metropolitan area, indoor sports facilities continue to face business suspension due to gathering bans, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. Unlike restaurants, cafes, ski resorts, sledding grounds, and ice rinks, which can operate under restrictions, the complete ban on indoor sports facilities is seen as unfair.

Notably, the Pilates & Fitness Business Association (PIBA), representing indoor sports facility operators and related workers, posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board urging the government for effective policies, which has garnered over 154,000 signatures as of this morning. The petition, created on the 30th of last month, surpassed 150,000 signatures in just five days.

They wrote, "Even under social distancing level 2.5, restaurants, supermarkets, PC rooms, and cafes can operate with restrictions, but indoor sports facilities are completely closed," and called for "flexible policies." They argued that since these facilities operate on a membership basis with contact information and residence details, they can quickly trace movements in case of infection. They also cited overseas cases, such as in the United States, where infections through indoor sports facilities are fewer compared to other groups. Their claim is that limiting the number of entrants by time in designated spaces can reduce infection risks.

Despite being the same type of indoor sports facility, Taekwondo academies have had their guidelines changed from today to allow operation with up to nine people to address childcare gaps for infants and elementary students. Fitness business operators excluded from this are raising issues of fairness.

It is known that opinions differ within government ministries regarding these operational policies. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the main department overseeing indoor sports facilities, argues for allowing limited operations, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare reportedly insists on maintaining the gathering ban due to concerns over previous cluster infections in dance studios and similar cases.

The government plans to provide 3 million won in support payments from the 11th to indoor sports facilities and other industries affected by the gathering ban. However, related industries claim that monthly maintenance costs alone range from 5 million to 30 million won, making the support funds grossly insufficient. They added that a vicious cycle continues where sports facility instructors must be laid off to reduce operating costs.

PIBA emphasized, "We cannot operate, yet rent, management fees, and interest payments continue unabated, and membership periods must be extended again," and urged, "We call for clear and fair quarantine guidelines to thoroughly prepare for the COVID-19 situation while implementing effective and equitable policies that at least prevent business closures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.